The study and field of gerontology.
Respond to the following:
Describe the study and field of gerontology.
Identify the different disciplines involved in the field of gerontology.
Discuss how Baby Boomers will influence our views about aging.
Identify major myths and stereotypes associated with aging.
Discuss how living in an age-irrelevant society would impact the concept of optimistic aging.
The field of gerontology is relatively new, but it has grown rapidly in recent years. This is due in part to the aging of the population. The number of people over the age of 65 is expected to double in the next 40 years, and the number of people over the age of 85 is expected to triple. This demographic shift has created a need for more research and understanding of aging.
There are a number of different disciplines involved in the field of gerontology. These include:
- Biology: Biological gerontology is concerned with the physical changes that occur in the body as people age. This includes changes in the brain, heart, lungs, muscles, and other organs.